12 Days of the Christmas Story for Kids
Day 1: Mary
Our story of why we celebrate Christmas starts over 2000 years ago in the town of Nazareth. There an Angel came to visit a woman named Mary. The angel tells her “God has been very kind to you, you will soon give birth to a baby boy who you will name Jesus.” This would be the Son of God.
Questions to talk to your kids about:
Do you think Mary was afraid when an angel came to visit her? Why?
How do you think Mary felt that God favored her and let her be the mother of the Son of God?
Pray with your kids:
God, today we thank you for reminding us why we celebrate Christmas. We thank you God for giving the world Jesus. We pray that we would remember Him this Christmas season. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2: Joseph
Mary was supposed to marry a man named Joseph. An angel came to Joseph while he was dreaming and told him, “Don’t worry, God has selected Mary to give birth to a holy spirit, Jesus. You will be his father.” The angel told him to marry Mary.
Questions to ask your kids:
Do you think he was scared that Mary was going to have a baby who would be the son of God? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray today that you will help us to remember that Christmas is more about presents and Santa. We pray that we can remember that Jesus was born for us. We pray all these things in Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 3: Donkey
Joseph and Mary lived in the Roman Empire. At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus wanted to count all the people living in his empire, so that they would pay taxes. He ordered everyone to return to the town they were originally from. For Joseph this was Bethlehem. Mary joined Joseph and traveled with him while she was pregnant with the son of God.
Questions to ask your kids:
Do you think it was hard for Mary and Joseph to travel to a town they didn’t know? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray today that we can remember all the pieces of the story of Christmas. Help us to remember that Christmas is more than new toys, help us to remember that we celebrate Jesus being born on Christmas because He is the best present we could ever have been given. We pray these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4: Manger
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there were no rooms available for them to sleep, and Mary was about to give birth. They finally found a stable to stay. There Mary gave birth to a baby boy. She wrapped him in a blanket and placed him in a manger, a box that animals would have eaten out of.
Questions to ask your kids:
How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they couldn’t find a place to stay knowing the baby was going to be born soon?
How do you think Mary felt putting her new born baby in a box that animals ate out of?
Pray with your kids:
God, we thank you today for giving us Jesus. We know that His birth was not fit for a god, and yet he was God on earth. We pray that you help us to remember Jesus as we are preparing for Christmas. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5: Jesus
Mary gave birth to a baby boy in the stable, and wrapped him in a blanket and placed him in a manger. She called him Jesus. Just as it was predicted long ago in the book of Isaiah a “child has been born for us.” Jesus is the Son of God, and the Prince of Peace.
Questions to ask your kids:
How do you feel about the Son of God being born in a stable, and placed in a manger where animals ate from?
Pray with your kids:
God, we thank you for sending us Jesus. We pray that we will remember Him, especially in this season of giving. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 6: Angel
After Jesus was born angels appeared in the sky over where shepherds were tending to their sheep. The angel lit up the night sky and the shepherds were afraid. The angel spoke to them and told them to not be afraid, and that there is good news: the Savior was born on this day, in the City of David (Bethlehem).
Questions to ask your kids:
How would you feel if an angel that lit up the sky appeared before you?
Would you listen to the angel? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray today that we can spread the good news of Jesus being born like the angel did. We pray that we can share with our friends that Jesus loves them too. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 7: Shepherd
When the angels left the shepherds they went straight to Bethlehem to see what happened there. When they arrived they found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was laying in the manger. After seeing them they spread the news about Jesus. Everyone who heard their story was amazed by it.
Questions to ask your kids:
How would you feel if you got to see baby Jesus?
Do you think the shepherds were excited to tell others about him? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray today that you can help us to be as excited as the shepherds were to spread the message about Jesus. We thank you for sending him to earth, and want others to know about him too. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 8: Wiseman
After Jesus was born some wise men arrived in Jerusalem after following a star looking for the ‘king of the Jews’ who was born so they could worship him. When King Herod (the king of Judea) heard this he became very upset. He asked the priests and teachers where the messiah was to be born. They replied: Bethlehem in Judea.
Questions to ask your kids:
Why do you think King Herod was upset about a ‘king of Jews’ being born in his land?
Pray with your kids:
God, today we pray that we can worship Jesus just as the wise men did. Help us to always thank God for what we have and who He is. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 9: Wiseman
King Herod secretly met with the wise men. They told him about the star they saw. King Herod sent them to Bethlehem to find the child and report back to him so he could go to worship the child as well. King Herod did not plan to worship Jesus, he was jealous of him being called a king, and didn’t want Jesus to become the king of the Jews.
Questions to ask your kids:
Do you think the wise men knew that King Herod was lying? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray today that we can trust you as the wise men did. We know they trusted to follow the star, and we pray that we can trust you too. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 10: Star
After the wise men left to go to Bethlehem they saw the same star they had seen before. When they saw the star they rejoiced. They followed the star until it led them to the child.
Questions to ask your kids:
Would it make you nervous to follow a star not knowing where it led? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray that you will guide us today like you did the wise men. We pray that you help us make good decisions and to be kind to others. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 11: Wiseman
When the wise men entered the house and saw the child they fell to their knees and worshiped him. They each brought him a gift. One brought gold, another frankincense, and the last brought myrrh. In a dream God warned the wise men to not go back to King Herod instead, they returned to their country by a different route.
Questions to ask your kids:
Would you be excited to see baby Jesus? Why?
Pray with your kids:
God, we pray today that we can be like the wise men who came and worshipped Jesus. We pray that we can show others your love. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 12: Nativity/Reflection
Our final piece of the story comes from one verse: “Mary kept all these things for herself, holding them dear, deep within herself (Luke 2:19).” Mary looked all around her and saw how God was working. As everyone returned to where they were from Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were left together and God’s plan was unfolding.
Questions to ask your kids:
How can you see God working in your life? What are you thankful for in your life that God has given you?
Pray with your kids:
God, we thank you for giving us Jesus. Help us to remember Jesus this Christmas Day. We thank you for everything you have given to us today. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
